30th Jul 2008 11:30
30 July 2008
Dairy Crest Group plc ("Dairy Crest")
Disposal of Stilton and speciality cheese business
Dairy Crest announces the proposed disposal of its Stilton and speciality cheese business based at Hartington, Derbyshire, to Long Clawson Dairy Limited. The transaction is conditional on the completion of employee consultation and is expected to complete by the end of August 2008. Dairy Crest will receive total cash proceeds of approximately £3.5 million and the transaction will result in a loss on disposal of approximately £4.4 million.
Mark Allen, Chief Executive of Dairy Crest, said:
"This disposal is in line with our strategy to focus future cheese activities on developing our branded and premium retailer branded products. This includes Cathedral City, the UK's biggest cheddar brand worth over £170 million at retail value. After careful consideration we concluded that the best option available for our Stilton business was a sale to Long Clawson."
For further information, please contact:
Dairy Crest
Will Shaw 01372 472477
Brunswick
Laura Cummings / Oliver Hughes 020 7404 5959
Related Shares:
Dairy Crest